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I've been contemplating to visit Japan but after reading this article about the Fukushima incident that it was as bad as the one in Chernobyl, been putting my plans on visiting somewhere instead.. Thoughts guys?

Had heard a story from a guide that this couple went to Japan immediately after the earthquake and when they wanted to have kids when they came back, the doctor told them their DNA structure has been changed and they were unable to have kids.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... story.html

Whilst I wouldn't comment on the situation in Japan myself because I am not up to date with the facts I would say that the first thing that springs to mind is that the article you have posted there is in the Daily Mail. Not the most reliable source IMHO. and nicknamed the Daily Fail with good reason.

If the areas are deemed safe, I'd not worry about it myself.

Perhaps that is ignorance or too much belief in the governmental organisation there that checks these things, but it wouldn't bother me. If you knew the actual radiation count, and type of radiation, you could always work out the potential damage to you. Not sure how you'd get the data required though.

Some figures for Chernobyl deaths are below 50. Anything other than deaths from acute radiation sickness can only be best guesses. A quick search finds no such deaths in Japan.

You have a source for this story about the couple? A few things imediately seem wrong. What is DNA changing? It's the blueprint of yourself, changing it would be impossible. Sterilization may be possible but that may be temporary http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... id=1162126 Was he previously fertile? If not, was, and how was, causation proved? Etc...

Have you researched the radiation levels in Japan? And in the area you want to visit? If you want to go, do so, but I personally wouldn't let it stop me. That you're asking an irrelevant forum implies that you haven't looked into it, and are thusfar in a poor position to make judgements. Good news doesn't sell papers, no one is printing stories that family 'x' is still having babies in town 'y' in Japan. Photographers will always takes pictures where the flood is deepest/destruction is worst/protests are most violent etc etc.

You'll get exposed to more radiation on the flight to Japan than your actual stay there. Unless you are planning to actually visit the Fukishima, in which its restricted and requires saftey suits to go near. So generally, you'll be fine. I'd be more worried if you had to live near there.

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minus Vettel

I went to Yellowstone last year, and since my return I've given up any hope of ever becoming an international opera star. Maybe it was something to do with the jeans I bought at Bootbarn...

Seriously though, you're probably more at risk from background radiation in Cornwall (7.8 mSv) than Japan - make sure you steer clear of brazil nuts too!

You've linked an article from Hyperbole specialists amidst a disaster a time when they love stirring the pot with a big wooden spoon to send everyone into panic mode.

As for the couple surely the doctor would have needed a before sample to compare which would indicate they were already going for some sort of treatment pre trip. Plus why would a doctor be looking at DNA unless there were underlying genetic problems in the first place? They don't do DNA for fertility do they?

I don't think any of the workers have died yet. I read somewhere there has been a bit of a kick up due to lack of appropriate treatment for Post traumatic stress etc the other day.

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Disclaimer: The above post maybe tongue in cheek.

"I thought I'd get your theories, mock them, then embrace my own. The usual."

I have a friend living and working in Japan, and she is healthy as can be. And she confirms no reported deaths from that disaster. So I really don't think you need to worry. You should really do background research outside of the Daily Fail. And that story about the couple is total BS: There's no way background radiation could do that. If it could, why is half the world not sterilized due to all the radiation all our mobiles/wireless/GPS/microwaves/phone antennas/etc put out? A massive dose of radiation might be able to alter your DNA like that, but that's probably the least of your worries because you've probably just been vaporized by the heat given off to produce that level of radiation. So your safe friend.

And go visit Japan, its an awesome place! You'll have a great time.

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The two most powerful warriors are patience and time…so remember: great achievements take time, there is no overnight success.

I'd pretty much ignore any news reports regarding pretty much everything science related. 'Things aren't too bad unless you live in Fukushima' doesn't sell papers like 'ZOMG Japanese nuclear reactor is as deadly as Chernobyl'.
I would recommend reading some literature from the nuclear physics society if you want to base your decision on the science, but people like Andrew Wakefield still exist.

Do most countries not have some sort of agency set up for info on foreign destinations? I thought there was usually somewhere you could go for info on other countries you were planning to visit to see if they were recommended or any thing you should be aware of like civil wars etc.

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Disclaimer: The above post maybe tongue in cheek.

"I thought I'd get your theories, mock them, then embrace my own. The usual."

This might be helpful.

http://www.japantravelinfo.com/news/new ... newsid=431

Also the United States doesn't have a travel advisory out for Japan any longer either, so really don't think its anything to worry about.

Lead-lined "Y" fronts?
Sperm bank now, trip to the vet later?
Adopt?

There are similarities between Fukushima and Chernobyl, but there are also enormous differences. The 'level 7' incident rating given to both is due to the nature of the damage to the reactors, i.e. major core damage with significant radiation release. However, the radiation released by the Fukushima incident was nothing compared to Chernobyl. The Fukushima reactors, like most reactors, were protected by a steel-and-concrete containment building, designed to withstand the destruction of the entire reactor with minimal environmental impact. There was no such structure at Chernobyl. Whatever core damage was sustained at fukushima, it was mostly contained, with the only radioactive releases being vented gasses and cooling water. At chernobyl, the entire core, still-fissioning nuclear fuel and ultra-radioactive moderator material included, was physically blown all over the surrounding area by an explosion.

The only immediate deaths from the Chernobyl disaster were of plant operators and fire-fighters who were directly exposed the the un-shielded remains of the core and the scattered fuel (as described in this harrowing account: http://www.ecolo.org/documents/document ... chenko.htm ). To date, nobody has died as a direct result of Fukushima.

Bearing in mind that the remaining reactors at Chernobyl re-opened months after the accident, and that there are workers at the Fukushima plant as we speak, the remaining risk at this point is minimal. You could take a day trip there without significant risk.

In short, there's nothing to worry about. And don't listen to the scare-mongering Daily Fail.

Last year Casey Stoner & other riders in MotoGP questioned whether it was safe to race in Japan & Casey, having a very young child, was especially concerned. They were convinced by the official Dorna reports that there wasn't a problem in racing there & I haven't heard anything since to contradict this.

Know some Folks from Japan and they're perfectly fine

I have been to neither Japan nor Radiation

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Räikkönen - Vettel - Rosberg - Bottas

Fly at night and you won't get much radiation, right?

and bring a Geiger counter, they're cheap. or wear a radiation badge, even cheaper.